Philopation
Philopation was a park situated north of the Byzantine Emperor's palace in Constantinople.
History[edit | edit source]
In 867, Emperor Basil I set up a wolf hunting event for his family in the park,[1] to allay the circulating rumors of the assassination attempt inside the palace against his son, Prince Leo.[2] Meanwhile, Empress Eudocia and Leo sat together while under the protection of the Varangian guards Thyra, Justin, and the Hidden One Hytham, who posed as another Varangian guard. Hytham soon heard Basim ibn Ishaq's bird-call and left Leo and the empress in Thyra's hands. Going to see his mentor, he noticed that Basim was beside a wolf, which was unexpectedly calm.[1]
After the hunters' voices left the vicinity, the wolf left Basim as both Master Assassin and his acolyte talked. Basim admitted to being distant in order to cool down[1] from Hytham's recent capture by the Order of the Ancients, as well as his disobedience;[3] however, his anger had not yet subsided.[1] Readying their weapons, Basim and Hytham sparred, but it was a one-sided duel due to Hytham's injuries. Ultimately, Basim won their fight when he held his blade to Hytham's throat. Letting him go, Basim scolded Hytham for ignoring his orders and becoming too close to Leo. Hytham apologized but stated that he had followed every order, and he refused to let Leo be a pawn.[4]
Basim explained that Hytham's care and protection of Leo made him jealous due to his rough childhood with his own father. He also admitted he could not lose Hytham, due to his value to the Hidden Ones and especially to him. Hytham responded by saying he valued their friendship, too. Nevertheless, to deter Basil from trying to assassinate his son again, Basim focused back on the mission, revealing his plan to use Leo as bait in order to draw Isaac and his fellow Order of the Ancients members to attack. Though reluctant, Hytham agreed to follow Basim's plan.[4]
Appearances[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
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